3-8 BUILDING & MOUNTING THE STRUCTURES E UROCARGO Euro 4/5 3.2.2 Cross members An adequate number of cross members, which should be positioned if possible adjacent to the body mounting brackets, are required to brace the two runners of the subframe. The cross members may be of the open type (e.g. C-type) or, if greater rigidity is desired, of the closed box-type. Suitable gusset plates must be used to connect the crossmembers to the longitudinals to ensure sufficient strength at the connection (see Figure 3.4). In cases, where greater rigidity is required for the connection, this can be achieved as illustrated in Figure 3.5.
Figure 3.4 Figure 3.5 Stiffening the subframe In the case of certain bodies, such as tippers, cement mixers, crane on rear overhang or bodies with a high centre of gravity, the subframe must be additionally stiffened at the rear end. Depending on the degree of torsional stress, this must be done in one of the following manners: - Joining the rear section of the longitudinal member by a box-frame construction. - Box-frame construction, closed-section cross members (see Figure 3.6). - Box-frame construction, whit a cruciform (see Figure 3.7). - By applying in addition to the box-frame construction a longitudinal torsion-resistant bar (see Figure 3.8).
As a general rule, the box-frame construction of the longitudinal runners should not be used in the front end. Figure 3.6 Elements making up the subframe Base - January 2008 Print 603.93.431